Act, vote to help PEF stop state budget rumors
in their tracks
By
KENNETH BRYNIEN
The 2009-10 state budget will be painful. Rumors are rampant of impending
layoffs, re-opening of contracts, creation of a new retirement tier, merging
of state agencies, etc.
But, as this Communicator goes to press in mid-October, such speculations
are just rumors.
I want to emphatically state to all PEF members, their employment security
is our highest priority. PEF will not agree to re-open our contract, or
agree to any reduction in non-contractual benefits.
The governor has already acknowledged the state workforce has, so far, borne
the brunt of the cuts that have already been imposed, including a 10 percent
across-the-board cut in spending for state executive branch operations, as
well as a directive for no-growth budget requests from state agencies for
the next fiscal year starting April 1, 2009.
However, even with the 10 percent cut in spending, the continued loss in tax
revenue has resulted in a total shortfall of nearly $1.2 billion this year
and a projected shortfall of $8 billion for next year.
To begin addressing these shortfalls, the governor has called for a
legislative session November 18 and will deliver the Executive budget to the
Legislature December 16, a full month earlier than required by the state
constitution.
To avoid undue cuts in state programs and jobs, PEF and other unions and
community-based organizations advocate the state take the following
measures:
• Increase the state income tax on the wealthiest New Yorkers;
• Close tax loopholes;
• Improve tax collection procedures;
• Reduce state spending for consultants;
• Enact and implement the “Bigger, Better Bottle Bill” and
• Seek increased federal assistance, particularly for Medicaid costs.
These are some of the many options available to the governor that the state
can pursue before resorting to damaging cuts to public services. They are
options we will insist the governor explore before making any more cuts to
the state workforce.
As much as PEF can do to advocate for our members, our ability to influence
the decision making is strengthened by our ability to back up our words with
action.
Whether in elections or in the street, we need your involvement to ensure
our voice is heard.
Our first test is the November 4 general election. We need to stop thinking
in terms of left and right, Democrat and Republican and start thinking in
terms of what is right and wrong for the citizens of our state, vital public
services and the workforce that provides them.
We need to work to elect leaders that understand the value of public
employees and the vital services we provide.
Your involvement and activism will help us ensure our political leaders make
the right choices regarding the state’s budget and the services we provide.
